The Boston Celtics are in the midst of one of their strangest seasons in years. The once proud franchise weathered the retirement of their Hall Of Fame ‘Big Three’ players, the hapless M.L. Carr era and the turbulent Rick Pitino years to become an upper- echelon team in the N.B.A.'s Eastern Conference the past two seasons. This season has been a perpetual volley of personnel and coaching changes that has left fans and analysts scratching their collective head on more than one occasion. The team on the floor today is barely discernible compared to that which stepped on the parquet in early October for the preseason.

Jim O'Brien took over as the Celtics head coach after Pitino quit in January 2001. The team immediately responded, finishing strong under O’Brien’s tutelage. With a roster shaped by Pitino, O'Brien guided the team to the Eastern Conference finals in his first full season as Head Coach, and to the second round conference semifinals in his second season in 2003. With a style that relied heavily on defense and three point shooting, the Celtics moved to the forefront of their conference. Granted, the Eastern Conference is vastly inferior to the loaded West, but after several years of futility, even mediocrity was preferable.

Just one month prior to the 2002- 2003 season the Celtics were sold to a group of local businessmen. Ownership understandably wanted to put it's imprint on the team. They new owners hired former Celtic guard Danny Ainge in May 2003. The timing of the move was horrendous, as the Celtics were battling divisional rival and the reigning Conference champions New Jersey Nets in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The media’s focus shifted from the team on the court to the front office. During his tenure as a commentator Ainge made no secret of his dislike of the Celtics style of play and Co-Captain Antoine Walker’s game. Despite trying to advance in the playoffs against a difficult opponent, players and coaches were being called upon to answer questions regarding their future in Boston. Just days later, the Nets completed the sweep of the Celtics.

During the offseason Ainge began to mold the team to his self- proclaimed 'vision.' He drafted U.N.L.V. Point Guard Marcus Banks. He resigned veteran Walter McCarty and added Point Guard Mike James. Days before the season began, Ainge traded Walker to Dallas along with Tony Delk. The Celtics received the oft- injured Raef LaFrentz, prospect Jiri Welsch, the expiring contract of Chris Mills and Dallas's 2004 first round pick. Walker may have alienated fans with his ill- advised shot selection and surly manor on the court, but he was durable and motivated to win. He played with heart and emotion, sometimes to his detriment. Coupled with fellow Co- Captain Paul Pierce, the green had one of the best one- two scoring powers in the Eastern Conference, if not the league. Replacing Walker with several unknown commodities was a gamble. As the season started, expectations were suddenly revised downward. Instead of a playoff- proven squad, the Celtics were now a mystery.

The Celtics started out slowly this season. Early on, LaFrentz was lost for the year due to injury and Vin Baker was suspended for once again hitting the bottle instead of the rims. O’Brien tinkered and finally found the right combinations. By early December the team started to win, but Ainge was not standing pat. The Celtics acquired volatile guard Ricky Davis, forward/center Chris Mihm, center Michael Stewart and a second round draft pick from the Cleveland Cavaliers for forwards Tony Battie, Kedrick Brown and Eric Williams. The loss of Williams particularly stung O’Brien, as he embodied all that the Coach looked for in a player. Williams was an unsung hero on defense and a leader in the locker room. Davis was known more for his on- court antics and temperamental off- court behavior. He was the antithesis of the players the Celtics sent to Cleveland. Davis has a certain flair, and Ainge hoped he could put his past troubles behind him and flourish in Boston. He can run and score, fitting Ainge’s ‘vision.’ After the trade, the Celtics again spiraled downward.

In late January O’Brien resigned as coach, leaving behind more than $7 million over two years. He and Ainge clashed over the team’s style. Ainge prefers an up tempo game, while O’Brien preaches defense first. Many thought it was the Davis trade that pushed O’Brien over the edge, but he said it was not so. It was more of the offense vs. defense argument that caused the dissension between the coach and the front office. Assistant John Carroll was promoted to interim Head Coach. Vin Baker was placed on the suspended list for the second time because of alcohol problems, lost for the season. The Celtics continued to struggle. Ainge struck one more time at the trading deadline, aiding the Detroit Pistons in the Rasheed Wallace deal. By sending Mills’ contract to Atlanta and Mike James to the Pistons for Guard Chucky Atkins, the Pistons 2004 first round pick and cash; Detroit was able to land the best available player (Wallace.)

Ainge was now trading players that he had acquired just months before. From the Celtics viewpoint, the Detroit/ Atlanta trade boiled down to Chucky Atkins, $3 million and Detroit’s first round pick for James and Mills’ contract. By all accounts Atkins is an upgrade over James, but he has 2 more years on his contract. The Celtics lost flexibility with the expiring contracts, but gained cash, an upgrade at point guard and another first round pick. Vin Baker was released and his contract status is currently unknown. An arbitrator will decide if the Celtics are to pay him the remaining $35 million. If this is the case, they gain some unexpected financial freedom. Ainge is also stockpiling draft picks. The picks will be towards the tail- end of the first round, as both Detroit and Dallas are playoff bound. The Celtics recent history of late first round picks, including Kedrick Brown and Joe Forte, make the value of these picks suspect. Even Marcus Banks, Ainge’s mid- first round choice last season, has yet to contribute.

Ainge has insisted his plan is long term. It is hard to argue that their former style of play was not fun to watch, but it was successful. Ainge wants an explosive, offense- minded squad that runs the break. The Celtics were not going to get much better with the players they have. The jury is still out, and as long as it does not mean tanking this or subsequent seasons, I may be willing to temper my opinion and reserve judgment. Welsch could turn out to be a valuable jack- of- all- trades. LaFrentz could return from injury and be the offensive big man they have been missing. Banks could learn the offense and showcase his run and gun style. Davis could mature and become the scoring threat he occasionally flashes glimpses of. Using the cash freed up from Baker and the draft picks, they could add the right pieces to the mix. If any of these scenarios ring true, the Celtics will be an improved team. The only qualifier- there is still the remainder of this season to play.

Through all of the retooling, the Celtics have recently gone through a mini run and experienced some success. They are beating the weaker teams and gaining ground in the playoff hunt. As I type this they have actually closed to within a half game of the final playoff spot. Despite Ainge’s endless tinkering, the Celtics are still entertaining playoff aspirations because of the feeble Eastern Conference. Many have suggested that the Celtics would be better off losing and getting a lottery pick. I find this logic troubling.

Right now the Celtics are knocking on the door to the playoffs. The players they have will not likely be together next season, as trader Danny will certainly make more moves. The draft is essentially a shot in the dark. The Celtics have added several non- impact players in recent years through this avenue. Being in the lottery does not guarantee a top pick either. Look no further than the 1997 draft when the Celtics had two shots in the lottery and still ended up with picks # 3 and 6, used to select Chauncey Billups and Ron Mercer. Billups eventually developed into an impact player, but it took several years, and Mercer is a journeymen. There are young players who are likely to remain with the team, such as Banks and Jiri Welsch, who could gain valuable experience from the playoffs. Players like Mihm and Mark Blount are in the final year of their contracts. Carroll is an interim coach. All could see their star rise with the right performance in the playoffs. Chucky Atkins and Ricky Davis could become more valuable as trade bait or even to the Celtics with strong playoff showings. Paul Pierce, the one constant through all of this, deserves a chance to win. He has endured a bizarre season, essentially playing with a constant rotation of teammates. Whether Ainge drafts in the top 10 or top 15 will likely not prevent him from dealing the pick or picks. He could even benefit by the Celtics going to playoffs, packaging a player who has an extraordinary postseason with one of the three stockpiled picks to move up in the first round. This seems more certain than the lottery. A playoff appearance could also aid in attracting free agents, as most players would prefer to go to a winner.

The biggest reason the Celtics should not throw in the towel and continue to battle for the playoffs- the unknown. No one expected them in the Eastern Conference finals two years ago. It is unlikely, but it could happen again this season. I offer two Super Bowls victories by the Patriots as Exhibit A that anything can happen in the postseason. The recent success of the Angels and Marlins in baseball also illustrates this point. What about keeping up with the Jones? The Bruins just clinched a playoff spot and made some moves to bolster their chances. The Red Sox reloaded and interest is at an all time high. The Patriots are champions for the second time in three years. When the rest of the town’s professional sports teams are winning, why risk becoming even more irrelevant by losing.

Fans don’t want to see a loser, and playing the final stretch to win will keep our interest piqued. The goal of a franchise or athlete should be winning. Whether it is defined as winning a single game or a championship, it is what people pay to see. Why derail a potential playoff run, alienating the team and it’s fans, when draft picks are such a risky proposition? Isn’t there so much more to gain by winning?

Under The Cushions

What is up with Ty Law? It is understandable that he does not want to face the same fate as Lawyer Milloy, who was cut just days before last season, but is the way to do it? Both had very high cap numbers, but Law plays an impact position that may be difficult to replace. The Patriots had already brought in Rodney Harrison, who eventually replaced Milloy. Cornerbacks who can shut down the opposition are at a premium. The Patriots do have some good young talent there, but neither Assante Samuel or Tyrone Poole is Ty Law at this stage of their career. Law is also coming off of a great season, while Milloy had what was a typical season for himself before being shown the door.

After winning another Super Bowl, support for Coach Bill Belichick is at an all- time high. Law has stated that it is not about the money, but respect. How does he define respect, by becoming the highest paid Cornerback in the N.F.L. Sounds like money to me. Champ Bailey recently received a larger contract, and the free agent market has seen other Cornerbacks cash in. The Patriots hold all of the cards here. Law is under contract for the next two seasons, albeit at a very high cap number. One of the facts of life in the N.F.L. is that the teams often have an advantage over players since most contracts are not guaranteed. The Patriots do not have to renegotiate, but they can. Law must feel that he will force their hand by going public with his demands. He signed the contract and renegotiation or not, is still being paid huge dollars. His salary is higher than most, if not all of his Patriot teammates.

Law may get some laughs when he says he is going to remind Belichick what he had to go through to get out of his Jets contract, but he is not going to earn fans. His comments not only alienate fans and the front office, but also his teammates. He says he feels misled and can't imagine putting on the Patriot uniform ever again. Will he have any trouble putting on that second Super Bowl ring?
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